Crown Matrimonial facts for kids

The Crown Matrimonial in Scots law was a special right that allowed a husband to rule alongside his wife as an equal king. It meant he would share the royal power with her.

This right was very important in Scotland during the 1500s. It was especially sought after by the husbands of Mary, Queen of Scots.

What is the Crown Matrimonial?

The Crown Matrimonial was a unique legal idea in Scotland. It gave a queen's husband the power to be a co-ruler, meaning he would share the throne and royal authority with his wife. This was different from a "King consort", who is just the husband of a ruling queen and usually has no official power.

Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots

One person who really wanted the Crown Matrimonial was Francis II of France. He was the husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was the Queen of Scotland, and Francis wanted to be her equal co-ruler.

Why did Francis want it?

Francis wanted this special right for several reasons:

• It would make him a legal co-sovereign of Scotland with Queen Mary. This means he would have shared all the royal power.
• It would also give him the right to keep the Scottish throne even if Mary died before him.
• He would even be able to pass the Scottish crown to his children, even if they were from a different wife after Mary.
• The actual Crown of Scotland was even supposed to be sent to France and kept in a special church called the Abbey of Saint Denis.

Mary's mother, Mary of Guise, who was acting as regent of Scotland (ruling for Mary because she was too young), supported this idea. The Parliament of Scotland also initially offered it to Francis.

However, this plan never happened. The powerful Clan Hamilton family, who were close to the throne, joined with the Protestants in Scotland. They strongly opposed the idea of Francis getting the Crown Matrimonial.

Lord Darnley's Attempt

Later, Mary, Queen of Scots, married her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. He also wanted the Crown Matrimonial.

Some important Protestant nobles promised to help Darnley become a co-sovereign. They agreed that if he became king, he would pardon (forgive) all the Protestants who had been forced to leave Scotland. This would allow them to return home.

However, like with Francis, this plan for Darnley to get the Crown Matrimonial was never fully put into action.

See also

• King consort
• Clan Hamilton